History Main / PlainJane

* [[UsefulNotes/South Africa South African]] singer-songwriter Ampie explicitly uses this trope in his ballad ''Plain Jane''. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDGhOc98iFI&index=25&list=PLIa36ETako3MaZaw7-I0qEuflOniBvTWd The video]] is an affectionately UpToEleven parody of reality TV shows of the ''The Farmer Seeks A Wife''[[note]] ''Boer Soek n'Vrou[[/note]] type; in which a prosperous, good-natured but somewhat dim farmer called Johannes is presented with two possible wives who contend for his good favours. The glamorous and beautiful Patricia, who just wants to be wife to a farmer, is the fore-runner who gets most of the camera time. Meanwhile the seemingly dowdier Jane - who dresses in veldt-chic and is a farm-girl herself who aspires to be a farmer with a husband - is practically ignored. This tale can only go one way... Jane wins out in the end and gets the rose from Johannes. [[note]]In Afrikaans; the music begins around 0.39. The video tells a very clear tale laden with tropes![[/note]]

* Kisaragi from ''Manga/ElfenLied''. Illustrated in a flash back only in the manga, where young Kisaragi overhears two boys talking about how they wouldn't date her [[TearJerker because she wasn't pretty enough]].

* Elizabeth Abbot from ''Film/TheCuriousCaseOfBenjaminButton'' is described as plain as paper, but is portrayed by [[HollywoodHomely Tilda Swinton]]. So...

* Mattie Ross from the 2010 remake of ''TrueGrit'', as [[SarcasmMode gently]] put by [[JerkAss Leboeuf]].

** Mary Bennet, a poor little girl, is the only one plain among her very attractive sisters who are all reputed beauties. She strives to gain as many accomplishments as possible and reads a plays the piano all the time. However, it's also implied she's not that smart either. [[spoiler: By the end of the book, she's relieved a bit when her sisters are married off and she's no longer troubled by the comparison. WordOfGod has it that she married a man from Meryton and was considered a star.]]

* In ''Literature/ShadesOfMilkAndHoney'', the protagonist, Jane, deems herself homely, especially in comparison to her much prettier sister Melody, who, in turn, envies Jane her prowess in the glamour magic, that is considered an obligatory talent for the accomplished young lady, much like playing the piano is in Creator/JaneAusten 's works.

* While not implicitly on-screen, Velma on ''ScoobyDoo'' is described as this.

** Most likely the TropeNamer. Jane not only tells herself she's unattractive, but [[BreakTheCutie most of the other characters do as well]]. However, later in the story it's hinted she may be too harsh or herself.

* Elizabeth Abbot from ''TheCuriousCaseOfBenjaminButton'' is described as plain as paper, but is portrayed by [[HollywoodHomely Tilda Swinton]]. So...

* Kisaragi from ''ElfenLied''. Illustrated in a flash back only in the manga, where young Kisaragi overhears two boys talking about how they wouldn't date her [[TearJerker because she wasn't pretty enough]].

* ''[[FamilyGuy Family Guy's]]'' resident ButtMonkey Meg Griffin.

* Sunako Nakahara from ''Manga/TheWallflower''

* Natsuki from ''Manga/HoukagoXPonytail''.

* Penny from ''Disney/TheRescuers'' .

* Wendy Torrence in ''Film/TheShining''.

* Literature/HarryPotter's friend Hermione Granger is first described as frizzy-haired, buck-toothed and shrill, but she eventually [[SheCleansUpNicely outgrows it]].

* Biddy from ''Literature/GreatExpectations''.

** Mr. Rochester also qualifies as a rare male example. His looks are frequently described as plain, if not downright ugly. But he has a captivating personality and is TallDarkAndSnarky, so women still find him appealing.
*** Rochester is wealthy, let's not forget, so there may be elements of golddigging there. [[spoiler: Once his wealth is gone, and he's also injured from the fire, there don't seem to be many people interested]]

** Charlotte Lucas is Elizabeth Bennet's particular friend. She's described as plain-looking by various characters, herself and the narrator. She's very sensible, reasonable and definitely not a romantic. She considered herself a bit of a ChristmasCake, and gladly married a stupid and obnoxious guy. She was certain she could not do better. To her credit, she arranged her surely difficult life with him quite comfortably.

* Sunako Nakahara from ''{{Wallflower}}''

** Most likely the {{trope namer}}. Jane not only tells herself she's unattractive, but [[BreakTheCutie most of the other characters do as well]]. However, later in the story it's hinted she may be too harsh or herself.

*** Rochester is wealthy, let's not forget, so there may be elements of golddigging there. (Once his wealth is gone, and he's also injured from the fire, there don't seem to be many people interested.

* Penny from ''TheRescuers'' .

* In some versions of ''BareAPopOpera'', Nadia describes herself this way in a song called "Plain Jane Fat Ass."

* Mary from ''TheSecretGarden''. She is described as an ugly and [[IceQueen stern]] child, but becomes somewhat prettier as the novel progresses and she becomes [[DefrostingIceQueen happier]].

** Charlotte Lucas is Elizabeth Bennet'S particular friend. She's described as plain-looking by various characters, herself and the narrator. She's very sensible, reasonable and definitely not a romantic. She considered herself a bit of a ChristmasCake, and gladly married a stupid and obnoxious guy. She was certain she could not do better. To her credit, she arranged her surely difficult life with him quite comfortably.

-->--'''Literature/JaneEyre'''

* Most likely the {{trope namer}}, Literature/JaneEyre. She not only tells herself she's unattractive, but [[BreakTheCutie most of the other characters do as well]]. Mr. Rochester also qualifies as a rare male example.

-> I sometimes wished to have rosy cheeks, a straight nose, and small cherry mouth; I desired to be tall, stately and finely developed in figure; I felt it a misfortune that I was so little, so pale, and had features so irregular and so marked.

* Opal Cowan from the [[IxiaAndSitia Storm]] books sees herself as plain, especially compared to previous protagonist Yelena, but she proves just as appealing to men, if not more so. The book cover also shows her as being very attractive.